RCMP stress seriousness of false reports, after Chestermere school shooting hoax
Alberta RCMP are stressing the serious nature of false reports of gun violence after a student made up a threat about a school shooting, prompting an investigation.
On Friday at approximately 11:15 a.m., administration at Chestermere Lake Middle School (CLMS) reported a concern that a student might be planning a school shooting.
The school, located just east of Calgary, serves Grade 6-9 students.
"The Chestermere RCMP would like to stress all complaints involving school violence are treated with extreme seriousness and are met with an immediate response," said Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz of the Chestermere RCMP in a release.
Police investigated and found that a student at a different school had told their school's administration they had overheard a remark by a CLMS student who indicated the student was planning a school shooting.
The other school passed on the information to CLMS.
RCMP confirmed that the student who allegedly made the threat was not in possession of and had no access to firearms. Further investigation determined that the threat was completely fabricated.
Potential for mass panic
Police said all false reports of school shootings are treated seriously, given the resources that need to be committed to the situation and the potential for mass panic.
"False reports of such events are not a joke and can lead to criminal consequences as was the case today," said Wielgosz.
Police are pursuing a charge of public mischief against the student who falsely accused the other student.
The false report came one day after a high school shooting in Florida that left 17 students and teachers dead.
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